The Black Grouse Alpha Edition

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: Yes

Special Features:

The Black Grouse Alpha Edition builds on the regular Black Grouse, using a higher proportion of matured, peated malt whiskies to create a richer, smokier blend. Unveiled in September 2011, the edition was initially exclusive to travel retail. It combines malt and grain whisky and is bottled at 40% without an age statement.

The higher concentration of peated malt shifts the balance towards smoke compared with the standard Black Grouse profile, without making this a heavily smoky whisky. Honey-like sweetness, citrus peel and toasted notes contrast with a drier side featuring dark chocolate and charcoal.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose is surprisingly soft. Honey and toffee lead, accompanied by popcorn and distinct orange peel. Sweet oak adds a subtle nuance, while toasted notes remain in the background.
• Palate: On the palate, fruity sweetness, almonds and caramel mingle with grassy notes. A somewhat rough cereal note develops towards liquorice and peat, with anise adding to the flavour profile.
• Finish: The medium-length finish reveals dark chocolate, a charcoal-like dryness and a little peat smoke.

Distillery/Bottler:

The Grouse brand family has its roots in the blending history of Matthew Gloag & Son in Perth. Over four generations, the family developed a licensed grocery business into a whisky blending and bottling company. Under William Brown Gloag, blending gained importance in the second half of the 19th century. His involvement in the North British Distillery from 1887 helped secure the supply of grain whisky. In 1896, the Grouse blend adopted the Scottish grouse as its emblem; it later became The Famous Grouse.

In 1970, the family business passed to Highland Distilleries, which came under Edrington's control in 1999. Edrington owned the brand when the Alpha Edition was introduced. The edition is an official bottling within the Grouse family and continues its blending tradition with greater emphasis on matured, peated malts.

Facts: